Her opportunity for a breakout season, he said, will "hinge on how well everyone else is going to step up. The rest of the team has to keep people honest."

While Giebelhausen may have snuck up on opponents last season, teams will target her this winter.

The roles of senior forwards Courtney Potendyk and Nicole Montgomery cannot be understated.

"The two seniors really have to step up in the leadership role," Bowman said.

Potendyk will fill the same spot she did last year, a season in which she led East Peoria with 5.3 rebounds per game and was second with 6.4 ppg and 28 blocks.

Montgomery has done whatever is necessary to transition smoothly into a post role.

A year ago, she ranked third on the Raiders with 5.5 ppg and 4.3 rpg.

Ciera Montgomery is another interior option. The athletic junior worked her way into the rotation with an impressive preseason.

Junior guards Ally Watson, Sarah Kurth and Jaycie Stealy all offer the team something different, which gives East Peoria the opportunity to utilize different combinations depending on who it is playing.

Bowman complimented the trio for improving their weaknesses.

The Raiders also gained junior guard Michaela Reedy, a transfer from Notre Dame.

Watson is becoming a steady ballhandler, Kurth has upgraded her defense, Stealy brings physicality and an ability to take the ball to the rim and Reedy is athletic and likes to drive.

"We have a lot of depth in that junior class," said Bowman, who mentioned the coaching staff is trying to get across to the girls to not get caught up with who is starting.